Where Eagles Dare!
Just a few minutes ago I was standing on
solid ground on a mountain top, looking out over the valley,
almond trees, meandering ramblas and in the distance the sea,
Mojacar looking tiny clinging to the cliff edge. Now the
ground is falling away from me, the rush of air, the tops of
trees, I sit back in my harness and realise that under my feet
there’s nothing, only space, terrifying, exhilarating –
I’m flying!
Luckily for me I’m not alone! I’m the
passenger on a tandem paragliding flight and Steve my pilot
has the controls - I feel reassured that he has over 10 years
flying experience.
As we were driving up to the take off I
was wondering what I was letting myself in for; feeling
nervous, a few butterflies winging their way inside me… When
we arrived at take off, Steve checked out the wind direction
and strength of the wind. Paragliding is not just a sport
needing physical skills and experience but an art, needing an
understanding and intuitive reading of the sky, the wind and
the air.
Although the air is invisible to most of
us, the experienced eye can read signs in the sky and the
landscape that tell a paragliding pilot about the flying
conditions they can expect.
Having passed my health and fitness
assessment (including having to be truthful about my weight
and age!) I was kitted out with flying suit, helmet, knee pads
and wrist guards – Steve took me through the safety briefing
– explaining what to expect on take off, whilst in the air
and when landing. I felt very reassured that my feet were
likely to be off the ground long before we reached the edge of
the mountain top!
After checking and double checking the
equipment, finally I was clipped in - connecting me to Steve
and the wing. When the time came I felt prepared and focused -
the paraglider came up, I felt the pull of the wing and when
Steve said run – did I run! A few paces and we were off!
Once we’re in the air Steve explains to
me about the thermals that will keep us in the air on this
flight above the Sierra de las Estancias – using the same
principle as soaring bird flight - we will be seeking out
these warm currents of air which allow us to stay not just up,
but potentially climb to heights of 3000m (that’s over
9000ft!). The sensation is extraordinary, surprisingly
peaceful and dreamlike while we circle and with just the sound
of the air whistling through the lines and the beep-beep of
the vario which tells us we are going up! A few minutes later
we have climbed a few hundred metres and the landscape is
flattening out like in a map. It’s an extraordinary place to
be and I can chat to Steve who doesn’t seem the least bit
bothered that we are this high and suspended from a few
strings. Weird! It feels so sedate and smooth and peaceful.
Steve asks if I want to try a spiral dive and the next minute
we are doing a good impression of a radical fairground ride. I
am going dizzy and I don’t want to see my lunch so I ask to
stop, what was I saying about peaceful!
Landing seems easy, the ground comes up
to meet us, my feet touch down gently, a few paces forward and
Steve collapses the wing - we’re down – solid ground
again.
Suddenly it all feels a bit unreal. I
feel so pleased to have done it and my head is swimming
already with the memories of the flight…time for a beer!
After a couple of drinks I’m imagining
what it would be like to fly myself but for now I am happy to
drift off looking skywards hoping one day to return.
“When once you have tasted
flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned
skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always
long to return."
Leonardo da Vinci
Gecko Fly Parapente offer tandem
paragliding all year round. Call Steve or Trudy on 635 243 539
/ 680 358 549 or email geckofly1@hotmail.com
for further information.
